She gives birth... you give blood

September 6, 2018

In 2017 sixty four percent of red blood cell donations were transfused into KEMH women (including Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology). Thirty five per cent were transfused into KEMH neonates and just under one percent was given as an intrauterine transfusion.

Without blood donations, many of these transfusions could not have occurred.

This week is National Blood Donation Week.

For sisters, Antonella and Teresa, pregnancy was a difficult time. Both have a serious inherited blood disorder that meant without blood transfusion, they would not have survived their childhood, or looked forward to giving birth.

However, thanks to the generous blood donors who so tirelessly donate their blood every 12 weeks, both have given birth to healthy, vibrant babies.
As National Blood donor week comes to a close for 2018, WNHS is supporting the Australian Red Cross message, ‘She gives birth, you give blood’.
The campaign, focuses on how the partners of pregnant women can do something more to support them during pregnancy and childbirth.

If each partner made three donations of blood throughout their partner’s pregnancy, then up to nine lives could be saved including that of a mother and baby.
Four percent of all blood donations within Australia go to obstetrics, which is twice the amount that goes to road trauma victims.

Donated blood donated can be transformed into 22 different medical treatments, which includes the important Rh D immunoglobulin used to prevent haemolytic disease of the newborn, which has saved thousands of newborns lives throughout the world.

So remember, ‘she gives birth, you give blood’ help us, help the Red Cross.